Continuous cracking still



7 w. CLBATILEY CONTINUOUS CRACKING STILL June 24, 1930.-

Filed Sept. 20 5 Shets-Sheet l June'24,1930.; wjc. BAILEY 1,766,209

. CONTINUOUS CRACKING STILL Filed Sept. 20, 1926 5 Sheets-sheet 2 WALTER C. 5/1/45) 7% ATTORNEY.

June 24, 1-930 w, c, BAILEY I 1,766,209

CONTINUOUS CRACKING STILL Filed Sept. 20-, 1926 5 Shets-Sheet 5 M/EMQ mLTEA C. 5 /L){ .AT TORNZ'K Jim'e 24, 1930. 1 w. c. BAILEY 1,766,209

CONTINUOUS CRACKING STILL I 7 Filed Sept. 20, 1926 5 SheecsSheet 4' I fM EA/TOP WALTf/Y C. EA/L ATTOZ EK June 24, 1930. w. c. BAILEY 1,766,209

CONTINUOUS CRACKING STILL Filed Sept. 20, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 0. m 6 v] w H E w W w N E7 E./ J T a 4 7 E T a 6 6 [m n T L aw M y o 0 gm I i a! 7 my w M (w I V l lIn 1 N 6 a 0 M w ill w 9 9 .1] 0 w/ m NQHIMIQ N; .m. b i. 9 7 w a w u 0 avg F Patented June 24, 1930 v U TE 1 STATES P TENT o tics WALTER o. BAILEY, or NoawALK, CALIFORNIA conrmoous cimoxme s'r'rnr.

Application filed September '20, 1926. Serial No. 136,164.

. 5 sists of subjecting the petroleum to high temperatures around 500 F. to 715 F.,

thus causing'a vaporization of the lower gravity constituents. Thevapors thus produced are collected and condensed. Afcom mon form of still consists of a shell sup ported above a furnace, in which shell a body of petroleum is maintained. v I have vi'de. a still of the character mentioned having a feed device forfeeding balls .or other suitable film forming elements into the still observed that the rate of distillation depends very-much upon-the amount of exposed surface of the petroleum and that as the exposedsurface is increased, the rate of distillation also increases. I

' It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a method'of and apparatus for dis-v tilling petroleum in which the petroleum 4 so that a large is formed into thin films area of'surface is exposed.

In my invention I form the'petroleum into thin films by passing small elements.

preferably in the form of balls continuously through the still. As the balls ass through the still, through which petro eum is also continuously passing, the petroleum adheres to the surfaces of the balls, there .be-

ing a thin layer formed thereon. As these balls roll through the still the petroleum which adheres thereto is quickly andthoroughly cracked, so that a maximum of petroleum spirit is derived from a given quantity of petroleum.

Itis accordingly one of the objects of this invention to provide astill in which balls or other elements a1'e'passed.through the still for the purpose of breaking up 40 petroleum so that films are formed and so that a maximum area of petroleum surface is exposed.

In the common 'form vof still in which'tlie petroleum is retained in a body, the shell the layer of carbon forms an insulation and when theshell is very hot.

causes a localized overheatifig of the shell and very often a blowin because of. the weakene tensile strength It is one of the ob ects of this invention tinuously removed therefrom.

One of the large roblems 1n constructout of the shell to provide a still in which the carbon is coning astill using ba s continuously passed therethrough was to maintain a fluid-tightseal at the feedand discharge of the still."

' It is an object'of this inventionto proand also maintaining a fluid-tight seal so that substantially no vapors will escape. I

A still further object of this invention is toprovi'de a still having a discharge device for discharging the balls from the still and also maintaining a fluid-tight seal' so that no vapor will escape. k

A further object of this invention is to provide a still having a discharge device in which the rateof discharge of the film forming elements may be re ated.

The still of my invention includes a long cylindrical shell having bearings which support a shaft to which paddles are secured. One problem to contend with in a still of this nature is that of the expansion and contraction ofthe shaft. It is necessary that the bearings for the shaft be so formed thatthe shaft: when it ex ands, ,or contractsv may, move without bin ing the shaft in the bearings.

It s accordingly an object of' this invention to providev a novel bearing arran ement Y Y Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made evidenthe reinafter.

Referring. to the drawings in. which I illustrate a preferred form of m invention;

Figwl is a vertical longitudinal section 'taken through .a still embodying the features of my invention. Y

Fig. 21s an end view of the 'feedend of Fig. 1, 'being taken as indicated by the arrow 2 of Fig. 1.

Fi 3 is an end of Fig. 1, being taken as indicated by the arrow 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1,, this view showing the furnace, still and separator of the invention in section.

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5-.5 of Fig. 4, this view'showing a cross sectionof a dome of the furnace and the separator. Fig. 6' is an enlarged fragmentary section taken at the inlet end of the still, showing the details of the interior of the still.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8'8 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a section taken on theline 9-9 of Fig. 1, showing the feed device of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a section similar to Fig, 9, this view showing the parts of the feed device in different positions. 1

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line 11-- 11 .ofFig. 1, showing the discharge device of the invention. ,2

Fig.'12 is a section taken on the line 12- 12 of Fig. 9, showing a latch arrangement of-the invention. a

Fig. 13 is a section taken on the, line 13 13 of Fig. 12, showing a latch release cam. Referring in detail to the drawings, 20 is a furnace which may be formed of fire-brick or any other suitable material. The furnace 20 is provided with a plurality of fire- ,boxes 21 in which burners 22 are located.

The fire-boxes 21 are distributed alon the length of the furnace 20 so that different portions of the furnace may have individual temperature control. I have found that it is desirable for aneconomical cracking of petroleum that the temperatures at different locations in the furnace be substantially different. The control of the temperature,

. however, is optional.

The main portion of the furnace 20 provides a heating chamber 23through which a still 24 extends. At one end of the furnace 20 is an outlet dome 25 which is con nected to a stack 26 through which the products of combustion may pass to the atmosphere.

. The still 24 has a shell 28 which extends through openings 29 in end walls 30 of the still and which is supported between the end walls 30 by piles 3l. Attached to the ends of the shell 28 which project to the exterior of the furnace 20 are end plates 34.

Referring to Fig. 6, the end plates 34 sup- 1 port bearings 35 which are formed integral therewith and concentric with the axis of the shell 28.. The bearings 35 of the. end

view of the discharge end length of the shell 28 webs 39 are provided,

the webs 39 carrying bearing supports The bearing supports 40, as illustrated in Fig. 8, have T-shaped slots 41 into which T formations 42 of bearings 43 extend. The

' bearings 43 surround cylindrical journal portions 45 of the shaft 36which are formed expressly for the bearings 43 between square portions of the shaft. being confined to the journals 45 cannot move relative to the shaft 36; hoWever,-the.

The bearings 43 manner in vwhich the bearings are carried I by the bearing supports 40 permit the bearings to move axially with theshaft 36 in the event of expansion and contraction. Lubrication for the bearings l 43 is provided by graphite tubes 47 which extend inward through the shell 28 as illustrated in Fig. '8. As a means of keeping the shaft as cool as possible in order that its resistance to torque maybe maintained as high as possible, I provide an opening 48 through the shaft 36 through which a circulation of cooling water may be maintained. Pipes 50 are attachedto the opposite ends of the shaft'36'by suitable boxes 51 whereby a circulation may be established. The shaft 36 supports paddlearms 55. As illustrated-in Fig. 7, the paddle-arms 55 have bearings 56 which are provided with rectangular openings which fit snugly around the rectangular portions of the shaft 36. This provides adequate locking of the arms and the shaft so that there can be no relative rotation between these parts. The outer ends of the arms 55 are provided with paddles 57, the outer faces of which move very close to the inner face ofthe shell 28. The paddles 57, as shown best in Figs. 6 and'7, are arranged at ninety degrees to each other and are disposed at angles of forty-five degrees with a horizontal line so that the tendency is to force the petroleum and balls used from the inlet end of the still to the exhaust endthereof, the shaft being rotated as indicated by an arrow 59 of Fig. 7. Placed at intervals, preferably below the bearing 43, are dams 49. The shaft 36 is driven by means of a sprocket wheel 60 which is secured .by means of a sprocket 62 secured to a shaft 63. -The drawings illustrate a complete'distilling apparatus but in this description only those parts essential to the invention or essential to the understanding of the operation of the still will be described; there fore, it will be understood that the difoutlet 74 by means of an intermediate openferent sprockets and chains as shown, and ing 96 which is formed by extensions97 the diiferent othermechanisms will not be described-unless it is necessary for a full and The balls used in the apparatus are introduced into the inlet by means of a feed device generally denoted by thenumeral 65. The details of this device are shown clearly in Figs. 9 and 10. The feed end of the shell- 28 is provided with a mouth 66 through which balls are indicated at 67 may pass to the interior of the shell 28. A petroleum inlet 68 is also provided which connects with the mouth 66 and through which petroleum to be cracked is introduced into the still. The feed device 65 is supported by a frame construction 69 located at the feed end of the still. Supported by the frame 69 is a .lower body 72 having a flange outlet 73 which is attached to the upper end of the mouth 66. The flange outlet provides a passage 74 which connects to the mouth 66. A horizontal lower cylinder 75 is provided, to the right end of which the passage 74 is connected. Extended into the lower cylinder 75 from the left open end thereof is a lower piston 77 having a crosshead 78 which is attached to a connecting rod 79, the cross-head operating in guides 7 8 The opposite end of the connecting rod 79 is attached to a crank 79*. The crank 7 9 is mounted on a shaft 80 which is driven from a sprocket 81 mounted on the shaft lower plunger 86. The lower plunger 86 36 of the still 24, a chain 82,'a'nd a sprocket- 83 secured to the shaft 80. The lower 'piston 77, as will be evident, is driven from the shaft 36 and in synchronism therewith. The

lower piston 77 moves horizontally from the P I ,position shown in. Fig. 9 into the position shown in Fig. 10 and vice versa." The right end of the lower cylinder .75 is closed by a plug 85 which is screwed in place as shown. Placed in the right end of the. lower cylinder 75 to the right of the lower piston 77 is a is carried on the inner end of a rod 87 which .extends outward throu h the plug 85. The

outer end of the rod 8 is provided with a yoke-89 .to which tension springs 90 are connected. The tension springs 90 are also secured to the lower body 72 and they exert a resilient pressure on the rod 87 in a leftward direction at all times. The rod 87 is provided with a stop 91 which engages the end ofthe plug 85 whenthe plunger is in the position shown in Fig, 9. The plunger 86 moves from the position shown in Fig; 9 into the position shown in Fig. 10 and vice versa. v

Supported above the lower body 72 is an upper body 94.. The upper body 94 has an upper cylinder 95, the left end of which is connected to the lower cylinder 7 5.at a point axially spaced from the discharge end of the still.

and 9.8 of the lower and upper bodies respectively. Extended into the right open end of the upper cylinder 95 is'an upper iston 100 which has a cross-head 101 which is tween the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 directly from-.the lower piston 77 Placed in theupper cylinder 95 at the left side ofthe upper piston 100 is an upper plunger 1'05. Extending from the upper plunger 105 is an upper rod 106, this upper rod 106 extending outward through a plug 107 which closes the left end of the cylinder 95. The

outer end of the rod-106' is provided with a yoke 108 to which springs 109 are secured. The springs 109 are also connected to the left end of the upper body 94 and exert at all times a resilient pressure on the rod 106 in a rightward directibn. The upper plunger 105 moves from the position shown in Fig. 9

into the position shown in Fig. 10; a stop 110 limiting the rightward movement thereof.

The upperbody 94 is provided with a feed passage 111 which communicates with the upper cylinder 95 above the outlet passage 74 of the lower cylinder 75. A ho per 113 is supported by the upper body 94 or feedingthe balls 67 into the feed device 65..

When the device. is in theposition shown in Fig. 10, the left end of the upper piston- 100 and the fright end of the upper plunger 105 form a space immediately be owthe feed passage 111. The right end of the lower iston 77 and the left end of the lower plunger 86 define a space in the lower cyline der 75 immediately above the outlet passage 74. When the'parts are in the positions just described and shown in Fig. 10, the balls 67 may drop'into the'upper cylinder 95 between the upper piston and upper plunger 100 and 105. The parts then move-into the positions shown in Fig. 9. The upper pis-r ton and plunger, as shown in Fig. 9', define I an opening above the intermediate opening 96, and the lower piston and plunger form a space immediately below the intermediate opening 96. When the parts are movingfrom the position shown in Fig. 10 into the position shown in'Fig. 9 the balls between the upper piston and plunger keep the parts separated until they reach the position shown in Fig. 9. The balls at this time may drop from the space betweenthe upper pis ton and plunger through the intermediate.

opening 96 into the space between the lower piston and plunger. When the parts return to the position shown in Fig. 10, the balls between the lower piston and plunger drop through 'theinlet passage 74 into the feed The purpose of the lower and upper .plun ers 86 and 105 is to form a seal between the ings of the feed device. For example, referring to Fig. 9, the lower plunger 86 forms a seal in the lower cylinder 75 so that no vapor can pass through the lower cylinder 75 into the intermediate opening 96 when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 9. On the other hand, the upper plunger 105 forms a seal between the intermediate olpening 96and'the feed opening 111 when. t e

parts are in the position shown in.Fig. 10. It is very diflicult and very important to maintain a vapor seal at the feed device; therefore, every precaution must be used. The arrangement shown will be very satisfactory in preventing a material escape of vapor through the cylinders and passages of the feed device.

The upperplunger105 is resiliently held to the right by the springs 109 and the lower plunger. 86 is resiliently held to the left by springs 90 The pressure of these which will prevent the plungers 105 and 86 respective plungers in the direction of the pistons 100 and 77 may be sufficient to retain the balls in the spaces ,therebetween when'the respective parts move above the connecting openings. For this reason, itisdesirable to provide latch arrangements from moving from the positions near the openings 96 and 74 respectively, until after mechanism is moved to the right, the stop.

a slight movement of the pistons has taken place.

sive, extending from the frame-work are Referring to Figs. 9 to 13 incluarms 116 to the outer ends of which latches 117 are pivoted. Extending inward from the latches 117 are arms 118 which are adapted to engage the stops 91 and 110.-

It will be noted'that the upper latch'117 extends downward, whereas the lower latch 117 extends upward. The free ends of the latches 117 are adapted to engage cams 119. The cams 119 may beformed on the cross-bar 104 or any of the other parts which move with the pistons. As shown,

in Fig. 12, the latch 117 thereof is extended inward and engages the stop 110. The upper plunger 105 is, therefore, locked in the position shown in Fig. 9. Whenlthe 110 is engaged by the arm 118 until the raised portion of the cam 119 engages the ,ment of the upper plunge-r 105 occurs.

arm 118 and throws it outward against the action of a spring 120. At this time the stop 110 will be released and the plunger 105 may move in a rightward direction. It

will be seen that the upperpiston 100 will move slightly to the right before a movethe frictional pressure of the plunger and piston against the balls in the space therebetween is sufficient to hold them in this iiferent cylinders, passages, and openspace, the pressure will be released at this time and the balls may fall into the space between the lower piston and plunger. It

should be understood that the relative movepiston so that a seal may be immediately formed.

The lower body 72 is provided with a plug 122 whereby the outlet passage -74 may be reached for inspection or cleaning and the upper body 94 is provided with a plug 123 whereby the intermediate opening 96 may be reached for inspection or cleaning.

The balls 67 are fed to the hopper 113 by means of elevator bucke 125 as shown in Fig. 2. These elevator buckets 125 are attached to a chain 126 which extends around sprockets 127 and 128. .The sprockets 127 and 128 are driven by means of a chain 129 which extends around a sprocket 130 on the shaft 80. The buckets 125 pick up balls from a supply hopper 132. The bucket, elevator arrangement is so timed that a bucket full of balls will be delivered to the hopper 113 upon each full reciprocation of the feed,

device 65. One bucket full is just sufficient to fill the, space between the plungers and pistons. This timed feed arrangment is provided so that there will be absolutely no danger of any clogging in the feed device 65.- r

The balls and carbon formed in the still ioo are Withdrawn from the still at the outlet end thereof through ,a passage .135 formed in an outlet nipple 136. This is shown in Fig. 11. Attached to the lower end of the outlet nipple 136 is a body 137 of an'outlet device 138 of the invention. The body 137 hasa cylinder 139 which is connected to the outlet 135 by means of an opening 140.

Extended into the right end of the cylinder 139 is a gauge 141 having across-head 142 which is supported by slides 143, these slides 143 being attached to the body 137. The position of the gauge 141 is controlled by means of a lever 144. An opening 146 is formed through the gauge 141 and extended through this openin 146 is a reciprocating door 148'. The right end of the door 148 is attached to aconnecting rod 149.

which is-inturn secured to a crank 150. As shown in 3,the crank 150 is operated by meanso a sprocket 151 over which a chain 152 extends. The chain 152 also I and maybe any suitable type.

extends over asprocket 154 which is supported by means of arms 155, the arms 155;

extending downward from the shaft 36 as shown in Fig. 1. The sprocket 154'is inturn driven by means of a sprocket .156 mounted on the shaft 36. When the crank 150 operates, the door 148 moves back and forth so that the lower end of the opening 140 is alternately opened and closed so that balls and carbon may pass into'the cylinder The'balls and carbon are delivered'to a' hopper 160 and are then carried by a bucket elevator 161 delivered to an inlet hopper 162 of a screening device 163. The screening device 163 is mounted above the furnace of'the screening device is 'to separate the carbon from the balls. The carbon is discharged from the screening device 163 through a-carbon outlet .164. The balls which have been freed of carbon are delivered from the outlet end'of the screening supplies balls to the feed elevator.

Vapor released from' the petroleum is withdrawn from the outlet end of the still,

as shown in Fig. 1, through a pipe 167 which connects to the upper end of acyclone separator 168. As shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the pipe-167 is connected tangentially to the. upper end of the separator 168 so that a cyclonic or vortex action is-obtained.

This throws any solid. particles, such} as carbon which may be carried in the vapor, to the outside of the chamberiofthe-cs'eparator, which solid-particlesfall to the-bot tom of the separator and maybe withdrawn therefrom through, an outlet 169. The

vapors pass from the upper part fof the separator through a vapor outlet pipe 170 which extends downward from the upper end thereof. It should be noted that the separator 168 is placed in the dome 25 so that no condensation will take place therein. The vapor outlet 170 extends to suitable condensing apparatus whereby the vapors are condensed or further treated.

The operation of the invention is substantiallyas follows: I In starting up .the apparatus, the burners in the fire-boxes are first lighted and the still raised to av proper I temperature. The

petroleum to wb e cracked is supplied to the The purpose inlet end of the still through the passage 68 which communicates with the mouth 66..

The balls 67 are at this'time fed into 'the mouth 66 by the feed device according to the operation previously described. The balls and petroleum pass. through the still and the petroleum is treated in.the following manner: I I Referring. to .Fig. 6, the level of the petroleum is indicated by a' dotted line 175. This level 17 5 gradually slopes towards the bottom of the shell 28. of the still so that it meets the bottom at the discharge end'there- I of. In other words, the feeding is .so arranged thatthe petroleum will not be fed faster than it can be cracked in the still.

indicated by the arrow 59 in Fig. 7. This The shaft 36 having beenpreviously' agitates the petroleum and'the balls, and

causes the petroleum to form thin films on the surfaces ofthe balls. This provides a maximum area ,of exposure and consequently a rapid cracking of the petroleum. The action of the paddles is such as to lift the balls covered with petroleum from the main body of petroleum so they are exposed to a very high temperature and so that the petroleum spirit may easily separate from the petroleum. The dams 49 control the movement of the balls 67 so that they will not pass too rapidly throu h the still. The balls are lifted over the ams by the paddles still is reached, the petroleum level, as pre-v viously described, decreases so that the extreme exhaust end 'is dry. Any carbon which may collect on the interior of the shell 28 is removed by the percussing action of the balls against the shell as they are passed 'therethrough'. I The carbon and balls 67 pass into the out let 135 as shown in Fig. 11, collecting therein and forming a seal. The discharge device is regulated so'that. the balls and carbon are withdrawn at substantially the same rate of speed as they passedinto the upper endof the outlet 135. This timing may be accurately accomplished by operating the lever 144 and thus properly positioning the door 141. The seal of carbon and balls prevents any escape of vapor from the still through the discharge device.

The halls and carbon, as'previously ex- 57. It should be noted that the paddles 57- l clean balls are then delivered by a chute hopper 132. The vapors of the petroleum pass through the pipe 167 to the separator 168, where any solid particles carried thereby are separated therefrom, the vapor being withdrawn through the vapor outlet pipe 170. Owing to the high temperatures in the still there may be an expansion or contra"- tion ofthe shaft 36. The bearing arrangement, however, permits a relative movement between the bearings 43' and the bearing supports 40 so that no'binding will be present in the shaft. The criculation of water through the shaft 36, as previously explained, keeps the temperature thereof down so that the shaft will not be unduly weakened.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my invention is continuous and automatic in operation and is adapted for deriving a maximum of petroleum spirits from the petroleum. The three furnaces for regulating the heat of the furnace at various locations therein are very important to the invention, and I have found that more efficiency ma be had if the temperature is accurately controlled. I have found that it is advantageous to have the central part of the furnace hotter than the end parts thereof. A very important part of the invention is the use of the balls which pass through the still, forming the petroleum into' thin films soas to expose maximum surfaceareas which accelerates the cracking action on the petroleum. The balls not only serve this purpose but they also serve to carry carbon from the still and thus prevent coking.

The automatic feed device of the invention is extremely important and includes considerable novelty. The arrangement of the pistons and the plungers for sealing the cylinders is an economic construction worthy of much consideration. The discharge means is also important to the invention.

In .the foregoing description a preferred form of the invention has been disclosed. It is, of course, well understood that the description does not limit me to the particular embodiment shown, it being evident that various modifications could be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention; for example, I have disclosed the use of the balls 67 for forming the petroleum .into thin film. In place of balls, other troleum inlet.

I claim as my invention:

an outlet connected to said lower cylinder; walls forming an upper cylinder and an intermediate passage-connected to said upper and lower cylinders, there being an inlet for said upper cylinder; an upper feeding piston in said upper cylinder; a lower feedmg piston in said lower cylinder; means for -op-' erating said upper and lower pistons; an upper plunger independently-operable in said upper cylinder; means for operating said upper plunger; a lower plunger independently operable in said lower cylinder; and resilient means for operating said lower plunger.

2. In a feeding mechanism, the combination of: walls forming a lower cylinder and an outlet connected tosaid lower cylinder; walls forming an upper cylinder and an intermediate passage connected to said upper and lower cylinders, there being an inlet for said upper cylinder; an upper piston in said upper cylinder; a lower piston in said lower cylinder; means for synchronously operating said upper and lower plstons; an upper plunger slidable in said upper cylinder and lower piston; and resilient means for operating said lower plunger.

3. In a feeding mechanism, the combination. of: walls forming a lower cylinder and an outlet connected to said lower cylinder; walls forming an upper cylinder and an intermediate passage connected to said upper and lower cylinders, there being an inlet for said upper cylinder; an upper piston in said upper cylinder; a lower piston in said lower cylinder; means for moving said upper piston from a position in which one end is adjacent .to said inlet into a position in which said one end is adjacent to said intermediate passage, and for moving said lower piston from a position in which one end is adjacent to said intermediate passage into a position in which the end is adjacent to said outlet; an upper plunger slidable in said upper cylinder and spaced axially from said upper piston; resilient means for operating said upper plunger; a lower plunger slidable in said lower cylinder and spaced axially from said lower piston; and resilient means for operating said lower plunger. 4 v

4:. In a feeding mechanism, the combination of: walls forming a lower cylinder and an outlet connected thereto; walls form ing an upper cylinder and an intermediate passage connecting said cylinders, there being an inlet for said uppercylinder; a piston in each cylinder; a plunger in each cylinder'spaced from the respective pistons to provide intermediate pockets to receive resilient means for returning each plunger; and means for retarding the return of said plungers to eilecta release of said fed material. 5. In a feeding mechanism, the combination of: walls forming a lower cylinder and an outlet connected to said lower cylinder; walls forming an upper cylinder and an 1nlet for said upper cylinder, said cylinders being of sufiicient size to contain at least one of the bodies to be fed, there being an intermediate passage between said cylinders; an upper piston in said upper cylinder; an upper plunger in said upper cylinder; a lower piston in said lower cylinder; a lower plunger in said lower cylinder; meansfor moving said upper and said lower pistons,'said plungers being moved in spaced relationship relative to their adjacentpistons by any of said bodies lying in a space therebetween; means for momentarily ncreasing the upper space in said upper cylinder when said upper space lies adjacent said intermediate passage to allow any of said bodies in said upper space. to enter said intermediate passage; and means for momentarily increasing the lower space in said lower cylinder when said space is adjacent said outlet to allow any of said bodies in said lower space to enter said outlet. v

6. In a feeding mechanism, the combination of: walls forming a cylinder, there being intake and exhaust openings communicating with said cylinder; a piston movable in said cylinder; a resiliently mounted plunger in said cylinder; stop means for limiting the advanced position of said plunger in said cylinder, said plunger when inv advanced position being separated from said piston when in retracted position by a space lying adjacent said intake opening; means for feeding into said space at least one of a plurality of bodies to be fed by said feeding mechanism; operating means for advancing said piston, any of said bodies in said space transmitting a pressure to said resiliently mounted plunger in a manner to move said space adjacent said exhaust opening at which time said piston is in an advanced position at the end of its stroke, said operating means thenretracting saidpiston; and means for momentarily retarding the resilient return of said plunger in a manner to release the pressure on any of said, bodies in said space and allow these bodies to enter said exhaust opening.

7. .In afeeding mechanism, the combination ofz'walls forming a cylinder, there being intake and exhaust openings communicating with said cylinder; a piston movable in' said cylinder; a resiliently mounted plungeriIL-Sillld, cylinder; stop 1 means for limiting the advanced position ofv said plunger in said cylinder, said plunger when in advanced position being separated from said piston when in retracted position by a space lying adjacent said intake opening; means for feeding into said space at leastone of a plurality of bodies to be fed by said feeding mechanism; operating means for advancing said piston, any of said bodies in said space transmitting a pressure to said resiliently mounted plunger in a manner to move said space adjacent said exhaust opening; and means for momentarily enlarging said space in a manner to. release the pressure on any of said bodies in said space and allow these bodies to enter said-exhaust opening. a

8. In a feeding mechanism, the combina tion of: walls forming a cylinder, there being intake and exhaust openings communicating with said cylinder; a piston movable in said cylinder; mounted plunger in said cylinder; stop means for limiting the advanced position of said plunger in said cylinder, said plunger when in advanced position being separated from said piston when in retracted position by a space lying adjacent said intake opening; and means for moving said space adjacent said exhaust opening, said plunger moving due to the material introduced into said space through said intake opening.

9. In a feeding mechanism, the combination of: walls forming a cylinder, there being intake and exhaust openings communicating with said cylinder; a piston'movablc in a resiliently said cylinder; a resiliently mounted plunger in said cylinder stop means for limiting the advanced position of said plunger in said cylinder, said plunger when in advanced position being separated from said piston when in retracted position by a space lying adjacent said intake opening; means for feeding into said space at least one of a plurality of bodies to be fed, by said feeding mechanism; operatingmeans for advancing said piston, any of said bodies inv said space' transmitting a pressure to said resiliently mounted'plunger in a manner to move said space adjacent said exhaust opening at which timesaid piston is in an advanced position at the end of its stroke, said operating means then retracting said piston; and a latch for momentarily retarding the resilient return of said plunger in a manner to release the pressure on' any of said bodies in said space and allow these bodies to enter said exhaust opening.

' 10. In a feeding mechanism, the combination ofzwalls forming a cylinder, there be-- ing intake and exhaust openings communi eating with said cylinder; a pistonino'vable 111 saidcylinder; a resiliently mountedn plunger in said cylinder; stop means for l1m1t1ng tl1e advanced position. of said plunger in said cylinder, said plunger when in advanced position being separated from said piston when in retracted position by a space.lying adjacent said intake opening;

retracted position when said piston starts on its return stroke in a manner to release the pressure on any of said bodies in said space and allow these bodies-to enter said exhaust opening.

-11. In a feeding mechanism, the combination ofz'walls forming a cylinder, there being'intake and exhaust openings communicating with said cylinder; a piston movable in said cylinder; a resiliently mounted plunger in said cylinder; stopmeans for limiting the advanced position of said plunger in said cylinder, said plunger when in advanced position being separated from said piston when in retracted position by a space lying adjacent said intake opening; means for feeding into said space at least one of a plurality of bodies to be fed by said 'fee'ding mechanism; operating means for advancing said piston, any of said bodies in said space transmitting a pressure to said resiliently mounted plunger in a manner-to move said space adjacent said exhaust opening at which time said piston is in an advanced position at the end of its stroke, said operating means then retracting said piston; a latch engaging said stop means for m0- mentarily holding said plunger in retracted position; and a cam for releasing said latch shortly after said piston has started on its return stroke. 5

12. In a feeding mechanism, the combination of: walls forming a cylinder, there being intake and exhaust openings communicating with said cylinder; a piston movable in said cylinder; a resiliently mounted plunger in said cylinder; stop means for limiting the advanced position of said plunger in said cylinder, said plunger when in advanced position being separated from said piston when in retracted position by a space lying adjacent said intake opening; means for feeding into -said space enough small bodies to substantially fill said space; operating means. "for advancing said piston, any of said bodies in said space transmitting a pressure to said resiliently mounted plunger in a manner to move said space ad- Jacent said exhaust opening at which time said piston is in an advanced position at the end of its stroke, said operating means then retracting said piston; and means for momentarily retarding the resilient return of said plunger in a manner to release the pressure on any of said bodies in said space and allow these bodies to enter said exhaust opening. v

13; In a mechanism for feeding articles into a treating apparatus, the combination of: walls forming an upper cylinder having an inlet through which articles may be fed into said cylinder; walls forming a lower cylinder having an outlet through which said articles may be discharged into said apparatus; walls forming an unobstructed intermediate passage communicating with both cylinders, throu h which said articles may pass directly rom said upper to said lower cylinder; an upper piston for movingv articles in said .upper cylinder from said inlet to said intermediate passage; a lower piston for moving said articles in said lower cylinder from said intermediate'passage to said outlet for discharge into said apparatus; and means for operating said pistons in unison.

H. In a mechanism for feeding articles into a treating apparatus, the combination of: walls forming an upper cylinder having an inlet throughwhich articles may be fed cylinder having an outlet through which said articles may be discharged into said apparatus; walls forming an unobstructed intermediate passage communicating with both cylinders, through which said articles may pass directly from said "upper to said lower cylinder; an upper piston for moving articles in said upper cylinder from said inlet to said intermediate passage; a lower 'into said cylinder; walls forming a lower piston for moving said articles in said lower cylinder having an outlet through which said articles may be discharged into said apparatus; walls forming an unobstructed intermediate passage communicatlng with both cylinders, through which said articles may pass directly from'said upper to said lower cylinder; an upper piston for moving articles in said upper cylinder from said inlet to said intermediate passage; a lower piston for moving said articles' in said lower cylinder from said intermediate passageto said outlet for discharge into said apparatus; means for synchronously operating said pistons in corresponding direc-r tions; a plunger'in each-ofs'aid cylinders;

and means for operating said plungers out V y of timed sequence relative to the respective pistons.

16. In .a mechanism "for feeding articles into a treating apparatus, the combination of: walls forming an upper cylinder havin an inlet through which articles may be fe into said cylinder; walls forming a lower cylinder having, an outlet through which said [articles may be discharge intosaid apparatus; walls forming an un bstructed intermediate passage communicating with both cylinders, through which-said articles may pass directly from said upper to said lower cylinder; an upper piston or movin articles in saidupper cylinder from sai Y inlettosaid intermediate passage; alower plston for moving said articles in said lower cylinder from said intermediate passage to said outlet for discharge into said apparatus; means for-synchronously operating said pistons in corresponding directions; a yieldably mounted plunger in each of said cylinders adapted to be propelled by said articles when said articles are moved by said pistons; and means for returning said plungers out of'timed sequence relativeto the respective pistons.

17. In a mechanism for feeding articles;

into a treating apparatus, the combination of: walls forming an, upper cylinder having an inlet through which" articles may be fed into said cylinder; walls forming a lower cylinder having an outlet through which said articles may be. discharged 1nto said apparatus; walls forming an unobstructed intermediate passage. communicating with both cylinders, through which said articles may pass directly from said upper to said lower cylinder, said passage being disaligned said articles may be discharged into saidapparatus; walls forming an unobstructed intermediate passage communicating with both cylinders, through which said articles may pass directly from said upper to said lower cylinder; an upper piston for mov ing articles in said upper cylinder from said inlet. to id intermediate passage; a lower piston'foir moving said articles in said lower cylinder from said intermediate passage to said outlet for discharge into said apparatus; means in said upper cylinder cooperating with said upper piston'to ip said articles during their travel therem; means insuring a release of said articles when at'said, intermediate passage; means in said lower cylinder cooperating with said lower piston to grip'said articles during their travel in said lower cylinder; means insuring a re- .lease of said articles whenat the outletof said lower cylinder and means for operat-' ing said pistons.

. 19. In. a mechanism for feeding articles into'a treating apparatus, thecombination' of: walls forming an upper cylinder having an inlet through which articles may befed into said cylinder; walls forming a lower cylinder having an outlet through which said articles may be discharged into said apparatus; walls forming an unobstructed intermediate passage communicating with both cylinders, through which said articles.

may pass directly from said upper to said 'lower cylinder; an upper piston for moving articles in said upper-cylinder from 'sald inlet to said intermediate passage; a

,lower piston for moving said articles in said lower cylinder from said intermediate passage to said outlet for discharge into said apparatus a. yieldable plunger in said upper cylinder cooperating with said upper piston to grip said articles during their travel therein; ,means insuring. a release of said articles when at said intermediate pass'age; a yieldable plunger in said lower cylinder cooperating with said lower piston to grip said articles during their travel in said lower cylinder; means insuring a vrelease of saidarticles when at the outlet of said lower cylinder; and means for operating said pistons.

.20. In a'mechanism for feeding articles into a treating apparatus, the combination of 2 walls forming an upper cylinderhaving an inlet through which articles may be fed into said cylinder; walls forming a lower cylinder having an outlet through which said articles may be discharged into said apparatus; walls. forming an unobstructed intermediate passa e communicating with both cylinders, through which said articles may pass directly from said upper. to said lower cylinder; an upper piston for movmg artlcles in said upper cylinder fromv said inlet to said intermediate passage; a lower plston for moving said articles in said lower cylinder from said intermediate pas sage' to said outlet for discharge into said apparatus an upper independently operable plunger 1n said upper cylinder separate "from said upper piston; a lower independently operable plunger in said lower cylinder' separate from said lower piston, said plungers being yieldable so as to be moved 21. In a mechanism for feeding articles into said cylinder; walls forming a lower. cylinder having an outlet through which by pressure from said pist0ns, said pressure beingtransmitted through said articles n said cylinders; and means for operating said pistons.

into. a treating apparatus, the combination of: walls forming an upper cylinder having an inlet through which articles may be fed said articles maybe discharged into said apparatus; walls forming an unobstructed intermediate passage communicating with both cylinders, through which said articles may pass directly from said upper to said lower cylinder; an upper piston for moving articles in said upper cylinder from-said inlet to said intermediate pamage; a lower piston for moving said articles in said lower 1 cylinder from said intermediate passage to said outlet for discharge into said apparatus; I means for synchronously operating said pistons; and an independently operable plunger in one of said cylinders sepa rate from the piston therein; said plunger and said pistons cooperating to form a seal between saidinlet and outlet, said plunger being yieldable so as to be moved by pressure from the piston in the same cylinder,

said pressure being transmitted 'thrqirugh said articles in said cylinder.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto IT set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this15th day of September, 1926. i

- WALTER C. BAILEY 

